Do transfer credits have an expiration date?

I'm planning on taking a break before going back to college. Does anyone know if transfer credits can expire after a certain period? Trying to make sure my old credits will still count.

Typically, college credits do not technically "expire", meaning universities do not usually have a specific timeline after which they consider earned credits no longer valid. However, this may depend on the specific institution and your intended program of study. Some schools and specific degree programs may have policies that state certain courses must be completed within a certain time span. This is especially the case for programs in rapidly changing fields such as computer science, engineering, or healthcare.

Each college or university has its own transfer policy which outlines if and how they accept credits from other institutions. It is always best to contact the admissions office or a college academic advisor at the institution you plan to attend to discuss your specific situation. They will have the most accurate and detailed knowledge regarding the school's policies and can help guide you.

Additionally, how your credits will transfer can depend on many factors, such as the specific course, the degree to which it matches the curriculum at the new institution, and earned grade. Institutions look for grades of C or higher in courses for credit transfer. It's also worth noting that while credits might transfer, grades generally don't, so your GPA essentially starts anew when you arrive at your new college.

For an idea of how your credits may transfer, there are online databases, such as CollegeTransfer.Net and Transferology, that provide information about transfer policies for specific schools and sometimes allow you to see course equivalencies between institutions. But for a definitive answer, you must reach out to the admissions office or an academic advisor at the school. Just remember that your previous academic achievements and efforts are valuable, and a break in your education doesn't discredit those achievements.